Pro-Palestine protests rock US schools, teachers stage walkout over mass arrests on campus

In solidarity with the hundreds of students who have been protesting against the Gaza war inside the campus of Columbia University in New York, multiple teaching faculty members held a mass walkout on Monday (April 22) against theuniversity'sdecision to allow the police to arrest students.

The members of the teaching facility walked with the students, whowere arrestedand suspended last week, to show their support for these pro-Palestine protesters.

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The teachers held solidarity protests as students again erected tents in the middle of campus on Monday (April 22) after theywere torn downdays back when police arrested more than 100 students.

Also Read:Columbia University shifts to virtual classes following on-campus arrests amid anti-Israel protests

The university also announced on Monday (April 22) that classes willbe heldremotelyas unrest continues on the New York campus.

A"Gaza Solidarity Encampment"was established by the demonstrators on the lawns at Columbia. Apart from Columbia University, pro-Palestinian protesters were also arrested by the police at Yale Universityon Monday (April 22).

More than 45 protesters, which included some students, were arrested by the police,as per Yale Daily News, theuniversity’spaper.

The students have been on hunger strike and are demanding that the universities support a ceasefire in Gaza. The NYPD also arrested dozens of student and faculty protesters at NewYork University on Monday night (April 22).

Biden criticises antisemiticprotests

Speaking about the pro-Palestine protests which have rocked elite university campuses, US President Joe Biden said,"I condemn the antisemitic protests.That'swhyI'veset up a programme to deal with that. I also condemn those whodon'tunderstandwhat'sgoing on with the Palestinians."

Watch:US: White House condemns antisemitism at Columbia University protests

Meanwhile,Columbia'spresidentNematShafik called for a need for"a reset"in an open letter to the university community.

"Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behaviour on our campus,"Shafiksaid.

"Anti-Semitic language,like any other language thatis usedto hurt and frighten people, is unacceptableandappropriate action will be taken. To deescalate the rancour and give us all a chance to consider the next steps, I am announcing that all classes will be held virtually on Monday,"the president added.

(With inputs from agencies)